bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 5m 53.32s

Push The Button^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 136

13/8

Useful winning hurdler who made winning start to chase career for new connections in maiden at Carlisle in October. Better form when runner-up next 2 starts, before disappointing in handicap at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 5 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 68-1227

Old Gregorian^t¹³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 123| C

9/2

Won 2 handicap hurdles last season, at this course (16.2f) on the first occasion. After 6 months off, made a successful chasing debut in maiden at Wetherby (19.4f, good to firm) in October, his sole rival departing 4 out. Major player handicapping in this sphere.

Form: 1263D-1

Al Kalila³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: S R B Crawford| OR: 122| BF

5/4

Ended last season on the up over hurdles and shaped very well sent chasing when runner-up in handicap here (23.4f) in November. Left with too much to do when third of 8 at Down Royal (24f, heavy) last time, so he could bounce back.

Form: 7/1423-3

Scarlet Jet^p1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115

11/1

Point winner who was progressive over hurdles last season. However, lesser efforts first 2 starts this term, before last of 4 in maiden at Carlisle (20.9f, good to soft) on chasing debut 25 days ago. Cheekpieces applied for handicap bow.

Form: 431-484

Forecasts

Al Kalila (5/4), Push The Button (13/8), Old Gregorian (9/2), Scarlet Jet (11/1)

This can go the way of OLD GREGORIAN, who has the physique for chasing and made a winning start over fences at Wetherby, looking to have the measure of his sole rival when that one departed. With improvement to come he is preferred to Al Kalila, who had excuses on his latest outing, ahead of Push The Button.